4 minute read
Meet Dr. Barbara Alexiou
Director Of Advanced Veterinary Education
Educational and professional background
Dr. Alexiou says her MPH degree gave her a chance to work in the lab and explore other opportunities that our diploma has to offer. The possibilities are endless.
Before moving to Manhattan, she also worked in a continuing education company. “It was great to bring together boarded specialist expertise to share their knowledge and see general practitioners grow in confidence through the courses,” she says.
Dr. Barbara Alexiou brings an international perspective to K-State, where she serves in a newly created position to help guide veterinary students in their educational pursuits as well as veterinarians through Continuing Education opportunities.
“I am enjoying the exciting challenges of contributing to the development of top-tier veterinary education programs,” Dr. Alexiou says.
Dr. Alexiou earned her DVM degree in 2016 at the University of Liege, Belgium. She worked for three years in a small animal practice. Following that experience she also worked part time in a lab at the University of Brussels [ULB] while completing a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology and biostatistics in 2020.
“I wanted to be a veterinarian because of all the things you can do in the same day, from surgery on Great Danes to internal medicine on small exotics — all the opportunities,” Dr. Alexiou says. “I ultimately felt overwhelmed for the same reasons that made me love veterinary medicine.”
Objectives and Goals
“Part of my job is overseeing the veterinary certificates with Kate Drew [student programs coordinator in Clinical Sciences],” Dr. Alexiou says. “My job is to ensure that the certificates remain aligned with the objectives and continue to improve and expand each program and follow-up on each student during their journey.”
In October, Dr. Alexiou presented a research poster on our certificates at the Veterinary Educators Symposium hosted by Texas Tech University in Amarillo.
As this is a unique opportunity in veterinary education, she says, “I examined the perceptions about the veterinary certificate program through a survey that I started when I began this position — to better understand it. According to the survey respondents, 87% would recommend it to other students. There is still room for improvements, but we are getting better and better.”
In addition to the certificate, Dr. Alexiou oversees the college’s elective mentorship program. In this program, students are able to pick their own mentors and spend at least a week or more in practice with them.
“Mentorships provide a great opportunity to see other types of veterinary practices and help students see what their future careers might look like — it’s an incredible experience,” Dr. Alexiou says. “We received such good feedback from the mentors and how impressed they are by our students and this opportunity. We are trying to communicate more with the mentors and our students. I give them guidance on what we are expecting from them. The goal is for the students to have the best experience possible in that small time frame.”
Dr. Alexiou is involved in the Continuing Education committee in the college and is currently working on incorporating more hands-on practice and CE opportunities for veterinarians.
“Moreover, if you are reading this, and are interested in giving CE do not hesitate to contact me,” Dr. Alexiou says.
What is special about K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine?
Dr. Alexiou’s partner, Dr. Pierre Picavet, is a newly recruited assistant professor in small animal orthopedic surgery in the veterinary college.
“We visited K-State in November of 2022,” Dr. Alexiou says. “We spent five days here and loved the people we met. There is so much kindness everywhere. We got to witness what K-State provides to the students, faculty and staff, and we wanted to be a part of it. Additionally, I’m always up for new adventure.”
Dr. Alexiou feels that her very diverse background as a veterinarian, researcher and roles in the industry will help in working with the veterinary students, faculty, staff, house officers and veterinarians.
“I was a veterinary student and a veterinarian too, so I know what it takes to be one — the questioning and the journey,” Dr. Alexiou says. “In the dean’s office, we’re all working on improving how we connect with the students and improve our communication. Certificates, mentorships and continuing education are designed to instill confidence, making it a great starting point for the rest of your career.”
